You did a FIT Test at the Caribbean Prevention Center and the test results showed traces of blood in your stool. Now what? To determine the cause of this blood, a doctor will examine the inside of your colon.
A look inside the colon
The surveillance examination is intended to examine the inside of your colon. Our resident surgeon uses an endoscope for this. That is a flexible tube that is about as thick as a finger. The doctor carefully slides the endoscope through the anus and into the entire colon. The end of the endoscope has a small camera with a light. This allows the doctor to see if there are polyps in the entire colon. You will receive a light sedation that makes you relaxed and feel more comfortable throughout the procedure. The examination takes about 30 to 45 minutes and is also called a colonoscopy.
Before this surveillance examination, we help you go through the following important steps.
STEP 1 Intake interview
A trained nurse at the Caribbean Prevention Center will hold an intake interview about the surveillance examination. You will discuss your medical data, among other things. The nurse will ask you if there is a history of oolorectal cancer in your family. During the interview, you will discuss whether the surveillance examination is feasible and beneficial. That depends on your health, among other things. The surveillance examination will also be explained to you. After the interview, you will make an appointment for the surveillance examination.
You will receive instructions describing what you have to do before the examination date and what to take with you to the Colonoscopy Center on the day of your examination..
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STEP 2 Preparation at home
During the surveillance examination, or colonoscopy, it is important that your intestine is clean and empty. The doctor can then properly examine your colon. That is why you go on a specific eating regime 3 days before the examination. This also involves drinking a laxative beforehand in your home.
You will have to go to the toilet often and you may get intestinal cramps.
For specific instructions for the pre-examination diet, please download the directions for a MORNING appointment to do a colonoscopy or choose the AFTERNOON instructions if your appointment happens after 12 noon.
During the intake interview, you will be given more details about the preparation at home. You will also receive a prescription for the pharmacy where you can pick up the laxative.
STEP 3 Day of the examination
Many people experience the insertion of the endoscope as unpleasant. Moving the endoscope through the colon can also hurt, especially in the bends of your bowel. That is why you receive a mild sleeping aid and a painkiller. This is called a light sedation. This will be explained to you during the intake interview.
We understand that this surveillance examination is nobody’s favorite moment, still we urge you to relax…we have a highly skilled team of professionals especially trained for this procedure. Also, it might help to know that most end up favorably and give great news!
What is a colonoscopy?
A colonoscopy is the same as the surveillance examination referred to on this page. It is a test used to look inside your colon with a microscopic camera. The doctor puts a long thin, flexible, lighted tube to check for polyps or cancer inside the rectum and the entire colon. During the test, the doctor can find and remove most polyps and some cancers with the use of this instrument. Patients are semi-sedated to make them more comfortable during the procedure.
